White Sand

[Jason]

You can try buying play sand. You can usually find it at Lowe's or Home Depot. The only problem is that it's lighter in density meaning that it can float in the water (and maybe get in the filter) if you touch it.

Good thing is that the bag comes in a clear plastic so you can see what you buy.

[prostreet69camaro]

I wonder if it is the lighting on our tank that gives it a stronger white appearance. What do you have for lighting?

Just 2-36" flourescent lights with T-8 bulbs. I just got the aquarium and thats what came with it. Eventually I would like to get some T-5 lights. Or what would you suggest?

I keep looking on here for used 36" T-5 lights.

[crazy42bmx]

Yes maybe some new light hues will brighten it up and help with the tan look. Its a good looking tank though. Like the scape you created there, lots of good hiding places for the fish and homes too. But deff id eventualy chage out the bulbs at least and get a blue/white combo going and im sure that'll help out a lot.

Heck you could even go buy some t8 try them and if you dont like take them back the same day and just tell em "its the wrong color , or I think my ballest is out " They usually take them back .....lol

[prostreet69camaro]

Yes maybe some new light hues will brighten it up and help with the tan look. Its a good looking tank though. Like the scape you created there, lots of good hiding places for the fish and homes too. But deff id eventualy chage out the bulbs at least and get a blue/white combo going and im sure that'll help out a lot.

Heck you could even go buy some t8 try them and if you dont like take them back the same day and just tell em "its the wrong color , or I think my ballest is out " They usually take them back .....lol

It has the T-8 oceanic bulbs now. But they are white. Do they make them in blue color too???

It was dark in the room when I took the pictures and the camera used the flash. They are brighter in person.

[mnemenoi]

I buy from a guy on Ebay that is located in Houston. I saw a 36" dual T5 (bulbs included) for $50 dollars, not sure what the quad ran, but you can specify the bulb temperature when ordering. Let me know and I'll shoot you a link for both

[prostreet69camaro]

I buy from a guy on Ebay that is located in Houston. I saw a 36" dual T5 (bulbs included) for $50 dollars, not sure what the quad ran, but you can specify the bulb temperature when ordering. Let me know and I'll shoot you a link for both

Yes send me the link.

[mnemenoi]

36" Dual listed as as 6500K, but in the description you can specify what bulbs you want, 10,000K, 6500K, Actinic)
0K, but in the description you can specify what bulbs you want, 10,000K, 6500K, Actinic

36" Quad the same as above

We use them and have never had any trouble. The puffer tank above (from Lookslater, my better half) uses 10,000K bulbs

[gverde]

Home Depot carries off white sand by Quickrete which is a medium commercial grade sand that's been cleaned and washed. I only have to rinse it a couple of times and it's ready to go. 50lbs. at about $4.50.

[LooksLater]

Good to know, thank you.

[prostreet69camaro]

I bought the 2 36" lights off ebay with the Actinic and 10k bulbs. Really made a difference to my tank. The actinic really brought the blue out in my fish. I wll take pictures and repost them.